An Introvert/Extrovert Seating Experiment

Five minutes into dinner, I knew I’d stumbled onto something.

One table was roaring with laughter, everyone talking at once. The other was calm, peaceful — pairs of people leaning in, deep in conversation.

Two completely different vibes. Both perfect in their own way.

Setting the Scene

I’d invited a group over for dinner — 24 people in total — for what was supposed to be a photo shoot to help me wrap up a project. The stakes felt high. I wanted the night to feel warm and authentic, but also beautiful.

When guests arrived, they got name tags and mingled. Then I made them play musical chairs. It felt ridiculous to suggest, but within minutes people were running, laughing, and looking less like strangers.

After a few more connection games, I decided to try an experiment: two tables — introverts at one, extroverts at the other.

What Happened

The extrovert table became one big, animated conversation, stories flying, voices overlapping, glasses clinking. The introvert table was quieter, with easy one-on-one chats.

When I checked in, the introverts said they felt relieved not to compete for airtime or match a higher energy level. The extroverts said they’d had a blast.

It reminded me how quickly people can connect when you give them something in common — even if it’s just the way they like to spend their energy.

By the end of the night, we’d all migrated to one long table. I’d been bouncing back and forth taking photos, and it struck me how comfortable everyone looked in their own skin. The conversations flowed, the groups blended, and people kept saying how close they felt.

The Takeaway

I’ve always been interested in how to speed up the shift from strangers to friends. Years of being the newcomer in new cities taught me that connection rarely happens by accident — you have to give people an easy place to start.

That’s why I love bringing together people who might never meet otherwise, then watching them find the threads they share. Sometimes it’s something light and funny. Sometimes it’s something that matters deeply. Either way, those moments are what turn a room full of strangers into something that feels like home.